The moment class ended—
The whispers followed.
"…He didn't awaken."
"Not even a flicker from the crystal…"
"Then what is he supposed to be?"
Leo kept walking.
He didn't react.
Didn't look.
Didn't speak.
Outside, the courtyard buzzed with energy.
Students gathered in groups, testing their abilities.
Mana flickered everywhere—
Fire.
Wind.
Reinforcement.
Power, alive and visible.
Near the center of it all—
Mira stood with a few classmates.
A soft glow of light gathered around her hand—steady, controlled.
"Wow… she's already that stable?"
"She's definitely top-tier…"
Murmurs of admiration spread.
Not far away—
Joren was watching.
His eyes lingered on Mira for just a second too long.
Then—
He noticed something else.
Leo.
Standing at the edge.
Alone.
Joren's expression shifted.
A smirk formed.
And just like that—
He started walking.
"Leo."
The voice cut through the noise.
Kael sighed. "Here we go…"
Leo stopped.
Joren approached casually, but his voice was loud enough for others to hear.
"I've been thinking," he said. "Maybe the crystal wasn't broken."
Leo stayed silent.
Joren tilted his head slightly.
"Maybe you just… don't have anything."
A few nearby students laughed.
Not loudly.
But enough.
Joren glanced briefly—just briefly—toward Mira.
She wasn't laughing.
She was just watching.
That was enough.
Kael stepped forward. "That's enough."
But Leo raised a hand slightly.
"…It's fine."
Then he looked at Joren.
"What do you want?"
Joren smiled.
"Let's spar."
The circle formed almost instantly.
Students gathered.
Curious.
Watching.
Mira was among them.
Quiet.
Observing.
Sir Darius stood nearby.
"Keep it controlled," he said. "Begin."
Joren moved first.
Fast.
Mana surged through him, reinforcing every movement.
Leo raised his guard—
Too late.
THUD.
The hit landed clean.
Pain spread through his ribs.
He staggered.
Joren didn't stop.
Another strike—
BANG.
Leo was pushed back again.
The difference was obvious.
"You feel that?" Joren said, his voice carrying just enough. "That's power."
His gaze flicked—just for a moment—
Toward Mira.
Then back to Leo.
Leo steadied himself.
Focused.
Watched.
Joren moved again—
Leo tried to counter—
But Joren adjusted instantly.
Faster.
Sharper.
BOOM.
A hit to the stomach.
Leo's breath vanished.
His body bent forward.
"Stop…" Kael muttered.
But Leo didn't.
He straightened again.
Raised his fists.
"I'm not done."
A ripple went through the crowd.
Mira's eyes narrowed slightly.
Joren frowned.
"…Why are you still standing?"
Leo didn't answer.
Joren clicked his tongue.
"Then don't blame me."
This time—
He went all in.
His mana flared stronger.
His speed surged.
For a moment—
He disappeared from Leo's sight.
Then—
BANG.
A direct hit.
Leo's body hit the ground hard.
Silence.
No one spoke.
Joren exhaled slowly.
Then, louder than necessary—
"That's what happens," he said, "when you try to stand where you don't belong."
His eyes flicked again—
Toward Mira.
Just for a second.
Waiting.
For a reaction.
For approval.
But Mira didn't smile.
She didn't praise him.
She simply looked at Leo.
"…That was unnecessary," she said quietly.
Joren's expression stiffened.
"…What?"
"You already proved your point."
Her voice wasn't harsh.
But it was enough.
Joren looked away first.
"…Whatever."
He turned and walked off.
A little faster than before.
Kael rushed to Leo. "Hey!"
Leo slowly pushed himself up.
Everything hurt.
"…I'm fine."
A lie.
But he stood anyway.
The crowd began to disperse.
The moment was over.
Leo remained still for a second.
Breathing.
Heavy.
Then—
Something changed.
The air felt… different.
Not empty.
Not normal.
There was something there.
Subtle.
Flowing.
Not mana.
Not the sharp, active energy everyone else used.
This was…
Calm.
Deep.
Like a current beneath everything.
Leo's fingers twitched.
Without realizing it—
He felt it.
Faintly.
Like something was always there…
Waiting.
"…What is this…"
For a brief moment—
It responded.
Soft.
Distant.
Ancient.
Then—
It disappeared.
"Let's go," Kael said quietly.
Leo nodded.
But his thoughts stayed behind.
Everyone else had power.
Everyone else had awakened.
But Leo…
Had touched something else entirely.